[Dr. Taraneh Nazem] is empathetic but also informative and direct...made me feel safe and cared for...respected my intelligence and agency...high energy, smart and friendly...was closely monitoring my data and what she knew about my goals to make that decision...egg retrieval was easy and not stressful, though a different RMA doctor performed it
[RMA of New York is] fantastic. The atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming, and all the staff are kind, friendly, informed and organized...Different nurses would contact me with the daily medication instructions and test results, but they were all very helpful, informative and kind
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
She is empathetic but also informative and direct. She made me feel safe and cared for and also like she really knew what she was doing and respected my intelligence and agency. She’s high energy, smart and friendly.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Just know that she won’t be the person you see a lot of the time, but everyone at RMA is equally kind, friendly and smart.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
She understood emotional and psychological factors I was experiencing without me even saying them. It was a relief to hear her say things that put words to what I was feeling. Also, the doctor and staff communicated so thoroughly and frequently, and they were so organized and on top of things. Nothing fell through the cracks, even though there was so much information and details to manage and appointments to schedule. That made me feel like I really matter to them and that they know what a big deal this is to me as an individual human. This is my life and my future.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I did a series of injections (300 mg of Gonal every morning, Menopur every evening with the dosage increasing partway though, and Cetrotide added in partway as well) in preparation for egg freezing. I like that she decided to delay my trigger shots a day, and then another day, to maximize egg count. It ended up being the right call. She was closely monitoring my data and what she knew about my goals to make that decision. The egg retrieval was easy and not stressful, though a different RMA doctor performed it.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Ashna)
Different nurses would contact me with the daily medication instructions and test results, but they were all very helpful, informative and kind. My care coordinator was the same person throughout, and she was super on top of it and responsive to my questions. She made sure all my appointments were scheduled for me, which was almost an appointment every day, and she reminded me about paperwork and confirmed to make sure I had all my meds abs stuff. She walked me through every detail of everything. I felt like I didn’t have to “be on top of all this” like a crazy person, because she was doing that for me.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
It’s fantastic. The atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming, and all the staff are kind, friendly, informed and organized. I was super impressed. I’ve never been to a fertility doctor before, so idk if this is standard, but it felt like white glove treatment, unlike every other experience I’ve ever had at doctor’s offices.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
$10,000 for the egg retrieval (fully covered by my insurance) with an additional $950 for anesthesia (not billable to insurance). My meds cost me $1,600 total after insurance. Actually, all but the trigger was fully covered, so that $1,600 was just the trigger. I only got billed one visit copay ($45), but I wonder if I’ll eventually be billed a copay for each monitoring appointment.
[Dr. Taraneh Nazem] is very candid but kind...very thorough in explaining the process to us and addressing any concerns we had as they came up...want multiple children 2-4. Dr. Nazem recommended at least one, possibly two, egg retrievals...recommended a single embryo transfer based on the quality of our embryo and the health of my uterus and other fertility factors
[RMA of New York] is very efficient during morning monitoring. Staff is very friendly, especially in person. Onboarding at the clinic needs improvement...would be helpful to throughly explain what each cycle looks like from a patients perspective (explain morning monitioring, when/time of day nurses typically call back with results, etc)
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
10 out of 10 recommend, she is very candid but kind. She was very thorough in explaining the process to us and addressing any concerns we had as they came up. When we had to have retrievals (actual day of procedure) done by another physician (because of the rotation system the practice uses and the variable timing of egg maturation) she made sure to give us insight and reassurance on the doctor and team. She monitored the results and followed up with care. She was very warm and understanding throughout the process, validating concerns and making sure to provide evidence based reassurances. Even after we successfully transferred our embryo, she was so kind and made each ultrasound a very enjoyable experience. She seems to truly care about her patients through the process and their outcomes.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Just make sure to ask questions and be as informed as possible through this process. Sometime the support staff (nurses and coordinators) can be a bit delayed in responding or have provided slightly different information than what Dr. Nazem and I spoke about. So, it was really helpful to me to ask Dr. Nazem every question I had, so that in the event I was told something different by the support staff I could push back (if needed) to ensure my treatment process was on track.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem always had great bedside manner. She was warm and understanding during each visit. We never felt rushed and she was thorough in answering any questions we had. When we found out we were pregnant she was as excited as we were and was extremely warm during each subsequent ultrasound, making them even more enjoyable and special.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
My husband and I want multiple children 2-4. Dr. Nazem recommended at least one, possibly two, egg retrievals. To have enough embryos for our desired family size. She explained because of my age (36), it would be most beneficial to gather as many embryos as possible (ideally 6-7, for our desired family size) prior to implanting. We actually got 6 embryos with our first egg retrieval, but they were all the same gender and my husbands really wanted to try a second round to have a family with both genders. We did and got 5 embryos (with both genders) the second time. To increase our chance of fertilization, Dr. Nazem recommended ICSI and that seemed to work well based on our embryo outcomes for each cycle. Dr. Nazem also recommended PGT testing to check the quality of embryo and (hopefully) increase our chance of implantation. We then did a FET (frozen embryo transfer) and were successful our first time. We implanted a 5AA embryo, our highest quality through PGT testing.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Clinic is very efficient during morning monitoring. Staff is very friendly, especially in person. Onboarding at the clinic needs improvement. It would be helpful to throughly explain what each cycle looks like from a patients perspective (explain morning monitioring, when/time of day nurses typically call back with results, etc) Also, in the beginning, it was challenging to get responses from coordinators, and I really had to be an advocate for myself to start a cycle. That is usually the most emotional and sensitive time for a patient, so it makes for a rocky start. However, once I figured out how the process it was efficient and pretty smooth thereafter.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Very efficient and timely. Staff and doctors always friendly
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
Our insurance did not cover IVF so we had to pay out of pocket. Overall cost for each egg retrieval cycle was around $14,000. That included monitoring, bloodwork, ultrasounds, the surgical procedure to remove eggs, and ICSI. We had to pay for PGT testing seperate, it was $195 per embryo. Also medication cost for egg retrieval ranged from $1000-$2000 additional. The transfer cycle cost totaled about $5000, including medicine.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
Dr. Nazem recommended a single embryo transfer based on the quality of our embryo and the health of my uterus and other fertility factors
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
I underwent a procedure, saline sonogram, and was told to do it at a certain time in my egg retrieval cycle so that we didn't need to do it for our transfer and could proceed quicker with that. However, when we began the transfer cycle I was told I needed to repeat the procedure. I pushed back and eventually we didn't need to repeat that procedure.
Dr Nazem was caring and thorough with all meetings. She took time to listen, answer questions and provide valuable insight, along with providing facts to backup all information provided. I always felt like she was aware of and on-top of my specific treatment plan and looked at me as an individual patient, rather than just another “number” coming in to be seen. Her care was exceptional and the main reason I stayed with this practice.
Dr Nazem was incredible. I would give her a 10/10 rating and recommend anyone see her, giving her full faith in trust. The [RMA of New York] office itself was the weakness in my experience- I didn’t find anyone else to be caring, helpful or supportive- in some cases, it was very frustrating working with faculty / staff, while undergoing such sensitive treatment. The staff should be trained to be more positive, supportive and helpful- especially given the sensitive nature of what patients are going through. I will note -The nurses who did the blood draws were all fantastic and appreciate their care and kindness with each visit. Also- in my case everything that was majorly important all went to plan so in the bigger picture, I still think the experience was a great one- improvements can be made with the back office, but the overall experience lead to positive and successful results so I would recommend anyone to the practice without hesitation
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem was the sole reason I stayed with the practice and was a recurring patient at RMA of NY (even after moving and having to travel a distance to come into the office). She was knowledgeable, trustworthy, thorough, and factual yet kind, caring, compassionate and supportive. I always felt taken care of and in great hands when seeing or speaking with her and had full faith in her direction and instructions. She has a rare mix of skills as a doctor that are invaluable in todays world of medicine. I truly appreciate all she has done for me and my family and consider us extremely lucky to have been paired with her as our doctor, from 2019-2023, resulting in one healthy child and an active pregnancy now. I believe our success has come as a direct result from her knowledge, timing and treatment. I can’t say enough good things about her and her work. I will note, I was seen by other doctors during my years at RMA for checkup appointments, and none of them shared these qualities or skills. I was always most comfortable discussing my care with her and do not think I would have been at the practice if she was not my doctor.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem is so knowledgeable and skilled that your treatment and care will be guided in the best possible way for the best possible result. She only wants you to have a successful outcome, so know that every step taken (whatever it is, even if it means it’s a setback) will lead you to that successful outcome you hope for. Trust the process and that she will lead you every step of the way!
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem was caring and thorough with all meetings. She took time to listen, answer questions and provide valuable insight, along with providing facts to backup all information provided. I always felt like she was aware of and on-top of my specific treatment plan and looked at me as an individual patient, rather than just another “number” coming in to be seen. Her care was exceptional and the main reason I stayed with this practice.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I believe treatment strategies were all standard for IVF- doses of oral medications and injections leading up to and after procedures to support the pregnancy. All videos provided to help educate on the usage and reasoning was helpful in understanding why each step and dosage was necessary to support pregnancy and to help my body do what it needs to do to produce a successful result. I trusted all strategies and protocols and never had to question rationale behind the “plan” for treatments. All was well documented and explained!
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Julia Ullman)
All other staff simply did their jobs. I don’t believe anyone went above and beyond or connected with me in a way that was meaningful to my treatment or cycle. I believe nurses and staff simply completed tasks— if I had questions, I would be deferred to dr nazam appointments for answers.. they did their job and were helpful but if there was any “downside” to the practice it was the staff outside of Dr Nazem herself… specifically- I had issues with orders for medications being sent to right pharmacy, financial coorination/communication, and issues with the medical records department. I had to be on top of my care in all
Ways and aspects - encountering issues throughout the treatment cycles. All got sorted- but there was a lot of miscommunication and frustration on the back-end office side of things.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Dr Nazem was incredible. I would give her a 10/10 rating and recommend anyone see her, giving her full faith in trust. The office itself was the weakness in my experience- I didn’t find anyone else to be caring, helpful or supportive- in some cases, it was very frustrating working with faculty / staff, while undergoing such sensitive treatment. The staff should be trained to be more positive, supportive and helpful- especially given the sensitive nature of what patients are going through.
I will note -The nurses who did the blood draws were all fantastic and appreciate their care and kindness with each visit.
Also- in my case everything that was majorly important all went to plan so in the bigger picture, I still think the experience was a great one- improvements can be made with the back office, but the overall experience lead to positive and successful results so I would recommend anyone to the practice without hesitation
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Efficient because I always requested for the first, 7am appointment. I was always able to come in and out.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
As mentioned, overall I had a successful and positive experience- however, improvements can be made with back office communication and administrative items. I felt mishandled in those areas.
I was under Dr. Nazem’s care for two egg freezing cycles...impressed with her expertise from the start...interactions with Dr. Nazem were highly limited...I didn’t have any interactions with Dr. Nazem to ask why or how my protocol was being adjusted to yield better results, and in the end had a few more eggs than my first cycle.
RMA NY because it is a center of excellence according to my insurance...highly rate the clinic for its expertise and level of clinical medical care that their team provides...the bureaucracy of the clinic was a huge hindrance to my experience as a patient...administrative experience, which is a huge part of this process, was very stressful
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I was under Dr. Nazem’s care for two egg freezing cycles, and I was impressed with her expertise from the start. She is an incredibly smart and capable fertility doctor, which is exactly what I was looking for. Her competitive nature, combined with a clear, matter-of-fact, and scientific approach, gave me high confidence in her abilities. Dr. Nazem has a wonderful balance of compassion, and I always felt heard and understood during our interactions.
During my initial consultation, she was thorough, took the time to understand my situation fully, and managed my expectations with clarity. Whenever we spoke, whether in person or on the phone, I felt she listened to me carefully and addressed all of my concerns. I felt completely comfortable and reassured in her care.
However, while Dr. Nazem herself is excellent, I did find that my overall experience was impacted by the junior coordinating team handling much of the administrative work. Despite completing two full cycles with her, my interactions with Dr. Nazem were highly limited, and the administrative side of the process often felt lacking. Egg freezing is highly arduous and requires a lot of organization before and during the process, and the very few interactions with Dr. Nazem were not enough to create a supported patient experience throughout.
Overall, I have great confidence in Dr. Nazem’s abilities as a fertility doctor, but there is room for improvement in the administrative side of her practice.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Be prepared going into every appointment to ensure that all your questions are answered because that may be the only interaction you have in the entire cycle. Be ready to advocate for yourself if you don’t get your questions answered because it significant time and effort to get through to the right contact in the first place.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
For my first cycle, I felt treated like a human and had a few interactions with Dr. Nazem - the initial consultation, some interactions at monitoring appointments, and a follow up call.
For my second cycle, I had zero interactions with Dr. Nazem and prior to getting started with the cycle felt blocked by her coordinating team in getting clarity on my treatment timeline and billing. Once treatment began, I was able to better reach the clinic because I was going for monitoring appointments frequently, though did catch Dr. Nazem at all. I still had confidence that Dr. Nazem was overseeing my care in the way my medication was adjusted, but I was very much a number in the factory of RMA NY.
Had I not met Dr. Nazem myself and had a smooth experience for my first cycle, I would not have gone back to RMA. The experience of the second cycle alone was completely impersonal, and I felt like there was little to no attention to my case. Based on my second cycle, I would not recommend this clinic for anyone looking to be supported throughout the treatment process.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
For the first cycle, I am guessing the textbook protocol was applied: 175 units of follistim + 2 vials menopur. I responded very quickly and was triggered after only nine days. 40 eggs were retrieved and 15 frozen. I was very bloated throughout and experienced extreme fatigue for weeks in the recovery period.
For the second cycle, my meds were adjusted to 100 units follistim + 2-3 vials menopur. I was less bloated throughout and felt more balanced all the way through the 14 days of stims. 24 eggs retrieved, 10 frozen.
I did feel like my protocol was adjusted based on results from my first cycle, which I appreciated. That being said, I didn’t have any interactions with Dr. Nazem to ask why or how my protocol was being adjusted to yield better results, and in the end had a few more eggs than my first cycle. I could only ask the nurses that called me after monitoring appointments and they had no idea.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nurses at RMA NY westside were professional, organized, and could answer basic questions about the medication I was taking. My experience with them is fairly textbook, though I do wish It was more clear who was my designated nurse. I felt like I was speaking to a rotating roster of nurses who had no specialized knowledge in my case.
The nurses at the retrieval at the Eastside location could improve their bedside manner. I did not get clear information before or after the procedure, and I heard them speaking about me while I was still under anesthesia. This contributed to my negative patient experience for my second cycle.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I chose RMA NY because it is a center of excellence according to my insurance. When I first went to the clinic, I liked that it was affiliated with Mount Sinai Hospital and I had confidence in the bureaucratic organization of the clinic. From a medical perspective, I highly rate the clinic for its expertise and level of clinical medical care that their team provides.
Over time, the bureaucracy of the clinic was a huge hindrance to my experience as a patient. I spent a lot of time and energy calling and emailing the clinic to get basic information and was passed like a hot potato from one person to the next, even after I was an established patient with Dr. Nazem in an active cycle. The administrative experience, which is a huge part of this process, was very stressful.
I would advise potential patients of RMA NY to consider how much work they want to put in to ensuring that the administrative side of their case is properly handled in a timely manner.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Monitoring appointments generally went very smoothly, and took place in the mornings. I could drop by the west side clinic on my way to work and was usually seen in less than 30 minutes. I chose RMA NY because of its proximity to where I live as monitoring are a huge part of the process. Phlebotomy staff are very efficient and friendly, and overall, these operated like a well-oiled machine.
Weekend monitoring appointments are a different story. Only the Eastside location is open and the wait time could be up to two hours because everyone is funneled to that location for the weekends. So weekend appointments were both inconvenient and time-consuming.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
Consultation, monitoring appointments, and medication were 100% covered by my insurance.
The egg retrieval procedure was 80% covered for me, so I paid ~$1500 out of pocket for the procedure + $950 for anesthesia. Annoyingly RMA NY doesn’t claim anesthesia directly to Insurance and this is processed as a separate payment, causing extra paperwork on patient side.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem took her time talking to me during the consultation, but was quick to say I wasn't a candidate for IVF because of my weight...no conversation about how much weight I would need to lose...Her waiting-room conversation with me about my miscarriage was also very insensitive and disappointing.
The waiting areas [atRMA of New York] are peaceful and calm - different from most doctor's offices...bloodwork areas were bright and organized...nursing staff was friendly, but at times seemed to be making assumptions about what procedures I had already received and I kept having to remind them about my information.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem spoke about options during the consultation, but wasn't as clear as she could have been about the timeline of the different options (IUI, IVF, etc.) - I only know this now that I've spoken to another doctor who actually went through these timelines without prompting. Her waiting-room conversation with me about my miscarriage was also very insensitive and disappointing.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem may be a good fit for you if you are not concerned in bedside manner.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem took her time talking to me during the consultation, but was quick to say I wasn't a candidate for IVF because of my weight. There was no conversation about how much weight I would need to lose to be a candidate for IVF.
I also ended up getting pregnant naturally after the consultation and had an early miscarriage. RMA insisted I come in to talk to the doctor and get blood work. I went in the day after my miscarriage began, and Dr. Nazem did not meet with me - they just took blood. When I insisted on speaking with Dr. Nazem, she came to the waiting room and spoke to me there about my bleeding/miscarriage - in front of other patients - instead of taking me to an office to answer speak to me. It felt like a violation of my privacy to have to speak to Dr. Nazem that way.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
When I called to tell them I was having a miscarriage I was prescribed Endometrin to try to prevent the miscarriage from continuing, but it seemed that the nurses prescribed this thinking I had received IUI or IVF treatment. I was also asked to come in every 2 days for bloodwork to track my HCG numbers and make sure the numbers were going down normally during my miscarriage.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nursing staff was friendly, but at times seemed to be making assumptions about what procedures I had already received and I kept having to remind them about my information.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I went to a few of the clinics for bloodwork - the West side and Brooklyn clinics were warm and welcoming. The waiting areas are peaceful and calm - different from most doctor's offices. The bloodwork areas were bright and organized. The East side clinic was a bit dingy and the waiting room was large. The bloodwork area was a bit disorganized and the exam room was dingy and dirty (garbage overflowing, dust on the floors, stains on the walls).
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
My insurance covered most of the costs for IUI and IVF. Dr. Nazem's team sent me a detailed list of coverage based on my insurance.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
N/A
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to order appropriate test
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
The Endometrin prescription seemed to be premature considering they didn't have my bloodwork yet, and once they had my bloodwork they told me not to take it.
Now that I've been seen by another fertility clinic, I also know RMA should have completed Karyotype testing after the miscarriage to see if that was the cause of the miscarriage.
Dr. Nazem has always taken the time to answer any and all of my questions. She was the person who called me with all the good and even the bad news. She comforted me when the news wasn’t the best. She made me feel very comfortable and positive that IVF could work for me...has an amazing bedside manner. She explained every procedure/test that I needed and walked me through it all. She has made this long and brutal journey just the slightest bit easier because of her caring nature.
They [RMA of New York] have many patients for monitoring appointments in the morning but everything runs quickly and smoothly. It’s sometimes run like a well-oiled machine. Usually the wait time isn’t too long but there have been instances of a long wait (more than 30 minutes)...The nurses are absolutely wonderful and work so incredibly hard...Dr. Nazem has an amazing bedside manner. She explained every procedure/test that I needed and walked me through it all. She has made this long and brutal journey just the slightest bit easier because of her caring nature.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem has an amazing bedside manner. She explained every procedure/test that I needed and walked me through it all. She has made this long and brutal journey just the slightest bit easier because of her caring nature.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Trust her.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem has always taken the time to answer any and all of my questions. She was the person who called me with all the good and even the bad news. She comforted me when the news wasn’t the best. She made me feel very comfortable and positive that IVF could work for me.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
For the egg retrieval process, I was on lupron, gonal, menopur, and lovenox. I was only on lovenox because of my past history, but Dr. Nazem worked with my hematologist to make sure I was safe. For the embryo transfer, I was on oral estrogen and progesterone.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Julia)
The nurses are absolutely wonderful and work so incredibly hard.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
They have many patients for monitoring appointments in the morning but everything runs quickly and smoothly. It’s sometimes run like a well-oiled machine. Usually the wait time isn’t too long but there have been instances of a long wait (more than 30 minutes).
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
I would give my preference of a time and they did their best to give me that time. Most of the time, it worked in my favor.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
My insurance covers a few rounds of IVF cycles. The only thing we needed to pay for were the PGT-A testing, anesthesia, and co-pays.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
When I went in for my follow-up post retrieval, it was an on-call nurse who called me late in the evening with instructions to begin a new egg retrieval protocol, but I wasn’t doing a another retrieval. I tried explaining to her my situation but being she was the on-call nurse, she didn’t know my information.
Dr. Nazem was always upbeat and positive...Being a large facility, I didn’t feel like just a number. I had the choice to see her for every appointment or go to whichever location best fit my schedule. Due to scheduling and my cycle, Dr. Seckon performed my egg retrieval. Dr. Nazem was the one who planned my treatment, performed my successful transfer, including my monitoring after my positive pregnancy test. I really felt cared for, and heard the entire time...
Nurses [at RMA of New York] always called back promptly if I had any additional questions or concerns. Staff was fantastic, and professional...Sometimes the clinic would be busy during monitoring appointments. Their new Brooklyn facility now accommodates more seating for patients, compared to previous one. The facilities are clean, and technology used seems to be the latest available. Sonograms looked clear on the screen...
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem was always upbeat and positive. Something that I really needed, and appreciated during times of worry and fear. Being a large facility, I didn’t feel like just a number. I had the choice to see her for every appointment or go to whichever location best fit my schedule. Due to scheduling and my cycle, Dr. Seckon performed my egg retrieval. Dr. Nazem was the one who planned my treatment, performed my successful transfer, including my monitoring after my positive pregnancy test. I really felt cared for, and heard the entire time. I can’t recommend her enough.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Your relationship with your doctor is what you make of it.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Warm bedside manner. My questions, concerns, and even thoughts on the process were heard. Dr. Nazem always returns emails promptly.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
My egg retrieval was in 2020 during the summer of the pandemic. I was on Menopur, Follistim, Lupron, Ganirelix, and Pregnyl for my trigger. I was thankfully not over stimulated. Out of 15/16 follicles, 13 eggs were retrieved. 9 fertilized, and 8 made it to blasts. Transfers took place end of 2021. First transfer prep estrace 3 x day, and 5 days before transfer 1 baby aspirin/day, and 1ml of progesterone in oil. Transfer was unsuccessful. Second transfer estrace 3 x day, 5 days before transfer baby aspirin, 1ml of progesterone in oil, medrol, lovenox. Transfer was successful, and currently pregnant.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Tatiana (nurse) Cynthia (coordinator))
Nurses always called back promptly if I had any additional questions or concerns. Staff was fantastic, and professional.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Sometimes the clinic would be busy during monitoring appointments. Their new Brooklyn facility now accommodates more seating for patients, compared to previous one. The facilities are clean, and technology used seems to be the latest available. Sonograms looked clear on the screen.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
I chose Dr. Nazem based on her credentials and what I received was above and beyond a diverse group of women (and some men) who want the best for me and my needs. I found not only a doctor to freeze my eggs, but a facility [RMA of New York] I will go to for any fertility needs in the future. ... I went to Dr. Nazem based on research and after discussing the best plan for me (egg freezing), we went right into an exam room and put all my fears at ease.
[At RMA of New York] I was immediately appointed an IVF Coordinator, Finance Trainer and a Primary IVF Nurse to start the process. Each step was easy to understand with training videos on how to administer medications, there was personalized paperwork to help keep track of daily shots, and if all else failed a phone call or email was readily available. I never felt alone throughout the process.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I chose Dr. Nazem based on her credentials and what I received was above and beyond a diverse group of women (and some men) who want the best for me and my needs. I found not only a doctor to freeze my eggs, but a facility I will go to for any fertility needs in the future.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
If you aren't sure just make the appointment and put your mind at ease.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Tatiana Alicea; Shira Levie)
I was immediately appointed an IVF Coordinator, Finance Trainer and a Primary IVF Nurse to start the process. Each step was easy to understand with training videos on how to administer medications, there was personalized paperwork to help keep track of daily shots, and if all else failed a phone call or email was readily available. I never felt alone throughout the process.
Each appointment (and there are a lot!) was early and I was in and out within 30 minutes. I spent more time in the uber on most days. Even though they were quick appointments, I always was asked about me and how I was doing. Everyone was always very friendly and considerate of what I was happening.
After the procedure I was struggling a bit and the front receptionist walked me all the way to my ride (I wish I would have remembered her name, but I had a lot going on. Thank you for your consideration!). She made sure I was safely on my way home.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
I am 35-years-old in a long happy relationship but both of us are not ready for children. My worries stemmed from can I even have kids to how many eggs do I have left? I went to Dr. Nazem based on research and after discussing the best plan for me (egg freezing), we went right into an exam room and put all my fears at ease.
I was immediately appointed an IVF Coordinator, Finance Trainer and a Primary IVF Nurse to start the process. Each step was easy to understand with training videos on how to administer medications, there was personalized paperwork to help keep track of daily shots, and if all else failed a phone call or email was readily available. I never felt alone throughout the process.
Each appointment (and there are a lot!) was early and I was in and out within 30 minutes. I spent more time in the uber on most days. Even though they were quick appointments, I always was asked about me and how I was doing. Everyone was always very friendly and considerate of what I was happening.
After the procedure I was struggling a bit and the front receptionist walked me all the way to my ride (I wish I would have remembered her name, but I had a lot going on. Thank you for your consideration!). She made sure I was safely on my way home.
The bad - I was confused in the beginning with the shot regimen and stressed myself out, shocking but the shots didn’t feel great, I couldn't work out for weeks the way I like to, I was bloated in my lower stomach, trips to the office got old, and I cramped for three days after the procedure (make sure you have a heating pad!)
The good - I have given myself a breath to choose when I am ready to have children and to give myself a better chance to live the life I want to lead.
I chose Dr. Nazem based on her credentials and what I received was above and beyond a diverse group of women (and some men) who want the best for me and my needs. I found not only a doctor to freeze my eggs, but a facility I will go to for any fertility needs in the future.
Thank you to Dr. Nazem, Shira, Geraldine, Tatiana, and all the nurses!
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Each appointment (and there are a lot!) was early and I was in and out within 30 minutes. I spent more time in the uber on most days. Even though they were quick appointments, I always was asked about me and how I was doing. Everyone was always very friendly and considerate of what I was happening.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
- $9,000 for egg freezing cycle
- $750 anesthesia for egg retrieval procedure
- $4,000 - $7,000 for medications
Dr. Nazem had an excellent bedside manner during a very emotional process. I never felt pressured to do a cycle if I wasn't completely ready. She also did a great job explaining the procedures in "normal" terms that was very easy to understand. She was very warm and empathetic through the whole process...She elected for us to do a single embryo transfer...Dr Nazem added the human element to that process. She was very empathetic, and had a very excellent bedside manner during a very emotional process.
RMA is a well run machine. They deal with a lot of patients and clearly know what they are doing. There are times where you do feel like a number, but when I spoke with the staff it's clear they have seen it all and know how to do what they do best...The nurses are work horses over there. They are very organized and there is a clear process they follow. They had a great calendar that helped me stay organized through out the process.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I thought Dr. Nazem had an excellent bedside manner during a very emotional process. I never felt pressured to do a cycle if I wasn't completely ready. She also did a great job explaining the procedures in "normal" terms that was very easy to understand. She was very warm and empathetic through the whole process.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
RMA of NY is a machine, a very well run machine that knows what they are doing. Dr Nazem added the human element to that process. She was very empathetic, and had a very excellent bedside manner during a very emotional process.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
The nurses are work horses over there. They are very organized and there is a clear process they follow. They had a great calendar that helped me stay organized through out the process.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is a well run machine. They deal with a lot of patients and clearly know what they are doing. There are times where you do feel like a number, but when I spoke with the staff it's clear they have seen it all and know how to do what they do best.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
She elected for us to do a single embryo transfer
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to call in prescriptions to pharmacy
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
I was an out of state patient so it was very hard to get ahold of fertility medication in short order. RMA wasn't very helpful in locating pharmacies near me that could fill their specific orders. I ended up switching insurances and was able to get them mailed to me which solved the problem
I cannot recommend her [Dr. Taraneh Nazem] enough. I absolutely love her. She was compassionate, diligent, and really understood my case and what was needed. I had had fertility treatment in a different country before - my results with Dr Nazem were much better because she tailored the program to me. Importantly she listened to my concerns and referred me for extra testing that I wanted, even when she was not sure I actually needed it. She put me at the centre of the process instead of being dismissive and curt as doctors often are
Overall had a very good experience [at RMA of New York]. The patient co-ordinator can be disorganised and needs frequent reminders. But everyone is professional and the processes are run smoothly. My highlight is definitely Dr Nazem - my main advice is make sure you have a doctor you feel comfortable with...being part of a large medical system in the US (like RMA) automatically makes you feel like a number, but not Dr Nazem.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I cannot recommend her enough. I absolutely love her. She was compassionate, diligent, and really understood my case and what was needed. I had had fertility treatment in a different country before - my results with Dr Nazem were much better because she tailored the program to me. Importantly she listened to my concerns and referred me for extra testing that I wanted, even when she was not sure I actually needed it. She put me at the centre of the process instead of being dismissive and curt as doctors often are
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Trust her and hopefully you will have a great outcome.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem is incredible. She is warm, kind, and she listens to her patients concerns and wants. I have to say though, being part of a large medical system in the US (like RMA) automatically makes you feel like a number, but not Dr Nazem.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Overall had a very good experience. The patient co-ordinator can be disorganised and needs frequent reminders. But everyone is professional and the processes are run smoothly. My highlight is definitely Dr Nazem - my main advice is make sure you have a doctor you feel comfortable with. It’s ok to browse around until you are 100% certain.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Lost appointments
Failed to order appropriate test
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
I had one instance where an appointment mix up occurred. And I frequently had to chase patient care co-ordinator to get things on time.
I felt that the doctor [Dr. Nazem] took her time to explain everything to me. I did not feel rushed. I was given a clear treatment path and I was on board with the path. It felt good for someone to give me real answers...she took her time with me to make sure that I understood exactly what necessary steps I needed to take in order to have a baby. I also felt like she gave me a thorough evaluation...
every test result that came in I received a call [from nurse at RMA of New York] explaining everything. I liked that because it made me feel like there was progress being made even if it wasn’t done in one phone call...I felt like everything moved really quickly as far as testing and treatment. If you are planning on going to this fertility clinic be ready to get pregnant and bring your partner with you because he too has to go through testing...
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
As a patient I felt that she took her time with me to make sure that I understood exactly what necessary steps I needed to take in order to have a baby. I also felt like she gave me a thorough evaluation.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Make sure you know your medical history of yourself and your partner. I felt like I had a good base to start with in order for her to proceed with her approach of steps for me to take.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I felt that the doctor took her time to explain everything to me. I did not feel rushed. I was given a clear treatment path and I was on board with the path. It felt good for someone to give me real answers which was something I had never felt going to my GYN.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
After giving her all of my information I immediately went for a vaginal ultrasound. The ultrasound gave clarity on where I stood at the moment and what the plan for me was. I had eggs, my uterus was fine and she could see no other reason then my age causing me difficulties. It was explained that I needed to go for an HSG test which would ensure that there were no blockages in my Fallopian tubes or abnormalities. From there it was discussed the possibility of taking medication to aid in egg production and I would be inseminated or I could just jump to IVF. I was apprehensive going with IVF and although it had a higher success rate. I wanted to try the less invasive approach which was take this medication, time your cycles and come in for insemination. I was in the beginning stages to a journey I had been waiting 3 years for.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
Though I cannot remember the name of my nurse I can say that every test result that came in I received a call explaining everything. I liked that because it made me feel like there was progress being made even if it wasn’t done in one phone call.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Strengths, well I felt like everything moved really quickly as far as testing and treatment. If you are planning on going to this fertility clinic be ready to get pregnant and bring your partner with you because he too has to go through testing.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
My insurance covered everything. I just had to pay the copays for lab results.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
Dr. Nazem tailored my cycle specifically for me to ensure we would obtain the best possible outcome. She was incredibly warm and kind, and there was never a single moment that I felt rushed. She took the time to answer all my (many) questions in detail and provide me with the best options in planning for my future...Dr. Nazem was an excellent communicator and I felt as though she truly listened to me when expressing my future fertility plans. I never felt judged, rushed, or just like another patient.
Having gone through 3 egg freezing cycles [at RMA of New York], I find it pretty remarkable that the operations are as smooth as they are. There are many different patients going through various types of cycles simultaneously and when everything is so heavily dependent on getting the timing right, I found it remarkable that scheduling happened as seamlessly as it did...The front desk staff and the employees answering the phones were equally as easy to work with and took down my questions and information when I had questions and relayed it to the appropriate nursing and/or care coordination team as needed.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I have nothing but positive things to say about Dr. Nazem and cannot recommend her enough. I felt incredibly supported throughout my 3 egg freezing cycles and was confident that she catered my treatment specifically for me based on my personal circumstances. Dr. Nazem was an excellent communicator and I felt as though she truly listened to me when expressing my future fertility plans. I never felt judged, rushed, or just like another patient. Dr. Nazem patiently addressed all my questions and concerns about the process (even about potential treatment cycles that are a number of years away). She was so easy to speak to and I found her to be really compassionate and invested in ensuring a successful outcome.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
I would suggest that patients come in with an idea of what their future fertility plans are, even if having children seems like it's in the very distant future. While you don't need to have any definitive plans, it's helpful to have some direction so that Dr. Nazem can provide guidance about appropriate next steps. Come in for the initial consultation with a long list of questions so you can feel empowered to make the right choice for you.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
When I initially started my egg freezing journey, I had very little information about what it would entail. I quickly learned that there is no "one size fits all" approach. Dr. Nazem tailored my cycle specifically for me to ensure we would obtain the best possible outcome. She was incredibly warm and kind, and there was never a single moment that I felt rushed. She took the time to answer all my (many) questions in detail and provide me with the best options in planning for my future. More broadly, when you go in for your monitoring appointments and the actual egg retrievals, you don't always end up seeing your own doctor due to on call schedules. On those handful of days where another doctor performed the routine monitoring visits, I still felt like they were knowledgeable about my specific case and my progress to date. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Nazem and how comfortable she made me feel at each step of this journey.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
During the first cycle, I called with day 1 of my cycle and came in on day 2 or 3 for the first monitoring visit (blood work and ultrasound). Based on what was seen on the ultrasound and blood work, I was able to start medications that evening. I was on follistim, menopur, and eventually ganirelix/cetrotide. My trigger shots (lupon and novarel) were scheduled on the evening of the 9th day of medications and the retrieval took place on day 11. 12 eggs were retrieved and all 12 were mature and ultimately frozen.
For the second cycle, we went with an estrogen priming protocol during which I wore an estrogen patch prior to starting injections. My understanding was that this was intended to try and stimulate all my follicles to grow more consistently. We learned from the first cycle that I had a lot more follicles than just the 12 we retrieved and the idea was to stimulate my ovaries to produce more mature eggs from all follicles. I had the same medications as cycle one, but the dosages were higher during this round. The trigger injections took place on the 10th day of medications, and the retrieval took place on day 12. 14 eggs were retrieved and 13 were mature and ultimately frozen.
For the third and final cycle, I went on birth control for 7 days and took a 4 day break prior to starting medications. The medications were identical to the prior cycles, but I only had the lupron trigger rather than the additional HCG trigger medication due to the manner in which I had responded this cycle. The trigger injections took place the 11th day of medications, and the retrieval took place on day 13. 30 eggs were retrieved and all 30 were mature and ultimately frozen.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Tish)
My primary nurse was Tish (I believe that is her name!) and whenever I called with questions or clarifications, I typically did speak with her directly. She was extremely patient and I felt like she was always in constant communication with Dr. Nazem throughout the process. When I spoke with other nurses, specifically on the weekends and holidays after monitoring appointments, everyone was equally as wonderful and patient with explaining medication instructions, dosages, and answering any other questions I had. Even when I called at off times with what were possibly very silly or minor questions/problems, all the nurses were able to assist and I never felt like I was bothering anyone.
Julia was the care coordinator I worked with and she was very responsive as well. She reached out to the nurses with any clinical questions she couldn't answer and coordinated with the billing team when there were issues with some of the medication orders at the pharmacy or with my insurance.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Having gone through 3 egg freezing cycles, I find it pretty remarkable that the operations are as smooth as they are. There are many different patients going through various types of cycles simultaneously and when everything is so heavily dependent on getting the timing right, I found it remarkable that scheduling happened as seamlessly as it did. There were certainly days during which I waited until the very late afternoon for my next medication instructions, but I was never missed/forgotten and I always received the directions before I actually needed to do the next injections. The front desk staff and the employees answering the phones were equally as easy to work with and took down my questions and information when I had questions and relayed it to the appropriate nursing and/or care coordination team as needed.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
My employer has $1,800 in lifetime benefits for medications and $10,000 in lifetime benefits for IVF procedures. The $1,800 was used entirely during the 1st cycle and the $10,000 was depleted after going through 3 cycles. My total out of pocket cost for the three cycles was $21,917. Without my insurance benefits, my understanding from speaking with the financial coordinators is that I would have spent an additional almost $20,000 for the 3 cycles combined.
Cycle 1 total = $6,610
-cryopreservation (and first year of storage): $3,000
- Anesthesia: $950
-Medications: $2,660
Cycle 2 total = $7,674
-cryopreservation (and first year of storage): $3,000
- Anesthesia: $950
-Medications: $3,724
Cycle 3 total = $7,633
-cryopreservation (and first year of storage): $3,000
- Anesthesia: $950
-Medications: $3,683
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem is incredibly engaging and understanding. She was kind and easy to speak with. Dr Nazem explained everything to us and answered every question. She walked us through every treatment and procedure and was incredibly reassuring whenever we would stress out or get anxious about anything. She approached every conversation with a sense of compassion and understanding.
Everyone at the [RMA of New York] clinic is incredibly supportive and kind. It is a friendly place. The wait times can sometimes be long even with appointments but they are always apologetic if that happens...My primary nurse and the entire nursing staff were incredibly supportive and kind. They were always quick to call back when I had questions or needed follow ups. They answered all questions and never made us feel rushed.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem is incredibly engaging and understanding. She was kind and easy to speak with. Dr Nazem explained everything to us and answered every question. She walked us through every treatment and procedure and was incredibly reassuring whenever we would stress out or get anxious about anything. She approached every conversation with a sense of compassion and understanding.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Infertility treatment is a scary thing to face but Dr Nazem will be there to walk you through it every step of the way.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr Nazem and her nurses were incredibly kind and patient with us throughout our journey. She answered all of our questions, explained everything to us each step of the way, and never made us feel rushed or ashamed.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
We started with testing for me and my husband to try and determine why we were not getting pregnant. Dr Nazem explained every test and why we were doing it. Once we determined that it was unexplained infertility, she walked us through the steps we would take to try to get pregnant. Because of my age, we started with timed pregnancy, and then moved on to IUI, and finally IVF. She explained every procedure and made sure we were ready to take the next step.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Ish)
My primary nurse and the entire nursing staff were incredibly supportive and kind. They were always quick to call back when I had questions or needed follow ups. They answered all questions and never made us feel rushed.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Everyone at the clinic is incredibly supportive and kind. It is a friendly place. The wait times can sometimes be long even with appointments but they are always apologetic if that happens - most of the time I didn’t mind because the music they play is always great.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Monitoring appointments were done during morning monitoring times. Appointments were given the day before but if needed you could request an appointment time. Sometimes the wait would be long but they would always be apologetic.
Dr. Nazem was extremely personable and made me feel comfortable at each appointment. She answered all my questions and was to the point. I appreciated her confidence and ability to relay important information. She always had an upbeat personality and was positive throughout the experience...Appointments were personable, yet efficient. All my questions were always answered, and the next steps were always clearly outlined for me.
The [RMA of New York] clinic is very efficiently run. It is a busy practice, but I would describe it as a well oiled machine. I trusted the process, and everyone made me feel comfortable. I looked forward to seeing Dr. Nazem, and she was always a pleasure to meet with. Dr. Nazem's clinic coordinator, Julia, was amazing. She was organized, called in my medications in a timely manner, and checked in multiple times to see how everything was going. I knew that through her organization, things would go smoothly. Prior to each appointment an email is sent with the time of your appointment. You can request a specific time, although it is not guaranteed.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem always made me feel comfortable. She was able to have a busy clinic volume, but always had time for me as a patient. Each visit, all my questions were answered. She is knowledgeable and confident. I know at some fertility clinics, patients mention they feel like "just a number." I did not feel this way at all. Appointments were personable, yet efficient. All my questions were always answered, and the next steps were always clearly outlined for me.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Trust the process.
If using insurance, do your research on prior authorizations, coverage, etc. The billing department is busy, and the more you know the better.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem was extremely personable and made me feel comfortable at each appointment. She answered all my questions and was to the point. I appreciated her confidence and ability to relay important information. She always had an upbeat personality and was positive throughout the experience.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
My goal was to freeze embryos. I started the process in 2021, and did two egg retrievals and ended up freezing 9 total embryos. This February I began treatment for my FET. I needed a saline sonogram, bloodwork, and the necessary consent prior to starting. Once that was complete, I called on day 1 to schedule a baseline ultrasound and bloodwork on day 3 to confirm I was ok to start my oral estrogen tablets. I began Estradiol 2 mg three times a day. I added in injectable progesterone about a week later, and the transfer occurred around the 21st day of my cycle. My pregnancy test was 9 days later, and it was positive. I continued on oral estrogen and PIO for several more weeks, eventually weaning the dosage. Just before 9 weeks, I "graduated" from RMA and set up care with an OB.
Describe your experience with the nursing staff at RMA of New York.
I interacted with many different nurses through the course of my treatment. They were all professional and helpful. They were able to answer almost all my questions, and if they didn't have the answer would escalate the question.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
The clinic is very efficiently run. It is a busy practice, but I would describe it as a well oiled machine. I trusted the process, and everyone made me feel comfortable. I looked forward to seeing Dr. Nazem, and she was always a pleasure to meet with.
Dr. Nazem's clinic coordinator, Julia, was amazing. She was organized, called in my medications in a timely manner, and checked in multiple times to see how everything was going. I knew that through her organization, things would go smoothly.
Prior to each appointment an email is sent with the time of your appointment. You can request a specific time, although it is not guaranteed. I only did this when I had work meetings that I couldn't move- and most of the times that I requested, I was able to get in at that time.
The office on Madison avenue is used for weekend monitoring appointments. I felt the staff there were very good as well.
There were a couple billing hiccups along the way, but we were able to mostly figure these out. These were prior authorizations that were a bit confusing with my insurance company partnering with WinFertility. A few are still pending, but there is a financial coordinator from RMA working with me on this.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
I only wanted to do a single embryo transfer, so this is what was done.
Dr. Nazem is great at explaining processes, procedures, and next steps. Our IVF cycle was very straightforward with no complications, but I have no doubt that if we did encounter setbacks Dr. Nazem would have done a great job with managing and adjusting expectations and course of treatment...very personable and takes time to get to know her patients, and their partners, and build the rapport necessary for this stressful treatment.
[RMA of New York] Front desk staff could use a lesson in business etiquette, proper attire, and professionalism. Interactions with them got the job done, sure, but left some to be desired. They tend to be curt and cold and friendly faces would be nice during this stressful time...Their patient portal and emailed instructions often differed leading to confusion. It took being very vigilant and reporting these discrepancies to leadership to ensure that we were receiving correct updates and protocol changes.
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem is great at explaining processes, procedures, and next steps. Our IVF cycle was very straightforward with no complications, but I have no doubt that if we did encounter setbacks Dr. Nazem would have done a great job with managing and adjusting expectations and course of treatment.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Be open and candid. Dr. Nazem is very supportive.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem is very personable and takes time to get to know her patients, and their partners, and build the rapport necessary for this stressful treatment.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
We had one round of stims, one egg retrieval inclusive of embryo creation and PGT testing, and one (successful) transfer. We had male factor infertility so my IVF course of treatment was pretty standard and unremarkable.
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Julia Ullman)
Nursing staff seemed to be a revolving door tbh. Didn't seem to have one assigned nurse per patient or that any nurse had a dedicated patient panel. Connecting with care coordination and financial coordination was also a chore.
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
Front desk staff could use a lesson in business etiquette, proper attire, and professionalism. Interactions with them got the job done, sure, but left some to be desired. They tend to be curt and cold and friendly faces would be nice during this stressful time.
Describe your experience with your monitoring appointments at RMA of New York.
Offered lots of scheduling options for flexibility.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
We had insurance coverage, but total cost of care out of pocket including medication cost was likely between $7000-$8000.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
We were only allowed to transfer one embryo. We would have welcomed the opportunity to transfer multiple but went along with protocol.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
Their patient portal and emailed instructions often differed leading to confusion. It took being very vigilant and reporting these discrepancies to leadership to ensure that we were receiving correct updates and protocol changes.
Dr. Nazem was great. I am in my early 40s and she was very realistic about my options and odds. She was not pushy but wanted me to have all the information to make informed decisions...She will be realistic with you so it's important to do your homework/ research and be prepared to ask many questions so you feel empowered and informed...
RMA is a well oiled machine. They are professionals and know what they are doing. It does feel robotic at times and you do feel like a number in a large pool, but 1:1 interactions are great and they do take the time to answer any questions you have...Tatiana [nurse] was great. She communicated all the instructions and next steps efficiently. Cynthia Ng was my care coordinator. She was great at communicating details to me and my partner. Everyone else on the nursing staff I interacted with was great...
How was your experience with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem was great. She communicated clearly and really took the rules to get to know me, my situation and needs before recommending options. She was very realistic and not too pushy. She made me feel comfortable and well informed.
What's one piece of advice would you give a prospective patient of Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
She will be realistic with you so it's important to do your homework/ research and be prepared to ask many questions so you feel empowered and informed.
During treatment, were you treated like a number or a human with Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York?
Dr. Nazem was great. I am in my early 40s and she was very realistic about my options and odds. She was not pushy but wanted me to have all the information to make informed decisions.
Describe the protocols Taraneh Nazem used in your cycles at RMA of New York and their degree of success.
I'm in my early 40s. I first went to RMA just for egg freezing at the start of the pandemic and that went well. Froze 8 eggs. We discussed also creating embryos as a second course of treatment, but I didn't have a partner and didn't feel like going down the sperm donor route. A year later I returned with a partner and was ready to go the full IVF route. The course of treatment was the same as egg freezing. This time around, they retrieved more eggs and we are currently awaiting the development of the embryos to the blastocyst stage so we can complete PGT-A prior to embryo implantation. I had no adverse effects from either cycle of the meds and all has gone as planned or better so far
Describe your experience with your nurse at RMA of New York. (Assigned nurse: Tatiana Alicea)
Tatiana was great. She communicated all the instructions and next steps efficiently. Cynthia Ng was my care coordinator. She was great at communicating details to me and my partner. Everyone else on the nursing staff I interacted with was great
Describe your experience with RMA of New York.
RMA is a well oiled machine. They are professionals and know what they are doing. It does feel robotic at times and you do feel like a number in a large pool, but 1:1 interactions are great and they do take the time to answer any questions you have. They had strict COVID protocols and I felt safe.
Describe the costs associated with your care under Taraneh Nazem at RMA of New York.
Egg freezing was not covered by my insurance so I had to pay that out of pocket. A discount is available if you use WIN Fertility. For IVF, that was covered by my insurance. I still had to pay out of pocket for the anesthesiologist and PGT-A.
Describe Taraneh Nazem's approach to eSET (elective single embryo transfer) vs. multiple embryo transfer at RMA of New York.
I'm not at the embryo transfer stage yet but I have heard based on my age, a single embryo transfer might be best.. I'm okay with tha as this is my first pregnancy.
What specific things went wrong at RMA of New York?
Failed to inform you of changes in protocol
Provided conflicting information
Describe the specific things that went wrong at RMA of New York.
I was told last late in the process that zi needed medical clearance from my primary care physician and an EKG before I could proceed. Luckily I have a great relationship with my PCP and she was able to squeeze me in to accommodate this request but I wish I knew that in advance. It could have potentially delayed the process another month.
